Ex-Steeler Ta'amu set for trial in traffic arrest

PITTSBURGH—Former Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu (tay-AH'-moo) is set for a trial before a judge on charges stemming from an alleged drunken-driving rampage last fall.

The Steelers released the 22-year-old fourth-round draft pick a few weeks after he was arrested Oct. 14 after crashing into several other cars, then running away from police who responded to the incident on the city's South Side, a neighborhood known for bars and night clubs.

Ta'amu on Thursday faces felony charges of aggravated assault by vehicle and fleeing and eluding police, as well as misdemeanor charges including resisting arrest, escape and drunken driving.

Ta'amu apologized after a brief Pittsburgh Municipal Court appearance in November, saying, "If there was any other word I would say it, but 'sorry' is the only word I can say right now."